THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM GUIDE Rye Country Day School Rye, New York 10580 MISSION STATEMENT Rye Country Day School is a coeducational, college preparatory school dedicated to providing students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches. In a nurturing and supportive environment, we offer a challenging program that stimulates individuals to achieve their maximum potential through academic, athletic, creative and social endeavors. We are actively committed to diversity. We expect and promote moral responsibility, and strive to develop strength of character within a respectful school community. Our goal is to foster a lifelong passion for learning, understanding, and service in an ever- changing world. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM GUIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY The Middle School aims to provide an atmosphere that fosters independence, mutual respect, and intellectual pursuit in an environment of high moral and academic standards. The School provides healthy competition within a nurturing support system, recognizing the uniqueness of young adolescents. The School encourages a learning partnership between student and teacher, so that all students have an adult advocate to guide and support them. The School strives to meet the individual needs of students through a flexible curriculum by engaging them in significant learning experiences, using varied teaching and learning approaches. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS MISSION STATEMENT ....................................... Inside Front Cover MIDDLE SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY ..................................................1 INTRODUCTION ............................. ..............................................5 ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS ........................................................6 GRADING SYSTEM .......................................................................6 REPORTING SYSTEM ..................................................................7 CONFERENCES ............................................................................7 HOMEWORK .................................................................................7 STANDARDIZED TESTING ............................................................7 GRADE FIVE ..................................................................................8 LANGUAGE ARTS ...................................................................8 MATHEMATICS .......................................................................9 SCIENCE .................................................................................9 HUMANITIES .........................................................................10 FRENCH/SPANISH................................................................. 11 ART .........................................................................................11 MUSIC ...................................................................................11 MANUAL ARTS ......................................................................12 COMPUTER SCIENCE .........................................................12 LIBRARY SKILLS ....................................................................13 SEEK .....................................................................................13 PHYSICAL EDUCATION .......................................................14 SPECIAL PROGRAMS .........................................................14 GREEK FESTIVAL ..........................................................14 FIELD TRIPS ...................................................................14 GRADE SIX ..................................................................................15 LANGUAGE ARTS ................................................................15 MATHEMATICS .....................................................................16 SCIENCE ...............................................................................16 HUMANITIES .........................................................................17 FRENCH ................................................................................18 LATIN .....................................................................................19 MANDARIN CHINESE............................................................19 SPANISH……………..………………………………………….. 19 ART ………………………………………………………………..20 DRAMA ...................................................................................20 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC .................................................. ….21 VOCAL MUSIC …………………………………………………...21 MANUAL ARTS……………………………………………………21 2 COMPUTER SCIENCE ………………………………………….22 LIBRARY SKILLS………………………………………………….22 SEEK ....................................................................................... 22 PHYSICAL EDUCATION ........................................................ 23 SPECIAL PROGRAMS .......................................................... 23 MYSTIC ............................................................................. 23 FIELD TRIPS .................................................................... 23 GRADE SEVEN ............................................................................ 24 LANGUAGE ARTS ................................................................. 24 MATHEMATICS ...................................................................... 25 SCIENCE ........................................ .........................................26 HUMANITIES .......................................................................... 26 FRENCH ................................................................................. 27 LATIN….. ………………………………………………………… 28 MANDARIN CHINESE............................................................. 29 SPANISH……………...…………………………………………....29 LAPTOP PROGRAM .............................................................. 29 LIBRARY SKILLS .................................................................... 30 SEEK ....................................................................................... 30 PHYSICAL EDUCATION ......................................................... 31 ELECTIVE PROGRAMS ........................................................ 31 ART ................................................................................. 31 CERAMICS ..................................................................... 32 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY ............................................. 32 FLASH ............................................................................ 33 CONCERT CHORUS ...................................................... 33 CONCERT BAND ........................................................... 33 THEATER WORKSHOP ................................................. 34 SCENERY, SETS & PUPPETS…………………………….34 DIRECTING FOR FILM……………………………………..34 MANUAL ARTS .............................................................. 34 THREE DIMENSIONAL DESIGN ................................... 35 ADVANCED ROBOTICS ................................................. 36 DIGITAL VIDEO……………………………………………...36 DIGITAL 3D DESIGN………………………………………..36 SPECIAL PROGRAMS ........................................................... 36 FIELD TRIPS ................................................................... 36 GRADE EIGHT ............................................................................... 36 LANGUAGE ARTS ................................................................. 36 MATHEMATICS ...................................................................... 37 3 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE .......................... 39 HUMANITIES ........................................................................ 39 FRENCH ............................................................................... 40 LATIN ..................................................................................... 41 MANDARIN CHINESE….………………………………………..42 SPANISH……………..…………………………………………...42 LAPTOP PROGRAM .............................................................. 43 LIBRARY SKILLS ................................................................... 43 SEEK ...................................................................................... 43 PHYSICAL EDUCATION ........................................................ 44 ELECTIVE PROGRAMS ...................................................... 45 ART .................................................................................. 45 CERAMICS ..................................................................... 45 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY…………………………………46 FLASH ........................................................................... 46 CONCERT CHORUS ...................................................... 47 CONCERT BAND ............................................................ 47 THEATER WORKSHOP .......................................... .......47 SCENERY, SETS & PUPPETS…………………………… 47 DIRECTING FOR FILM…………………………………….48 MANUAL ARTS ............................................................... 48 THREE DIMENSIONAL DESIGN .................................... 48 ADVANCED ROBOTICS ................................................ 49 DIGITAL VIDEO……………………………………………...49 DIGITAL 3D DESIGN………………………………………..49 SPECIAL PROGRAMS.......................................................... 50 FIELD TRIPS .................................................................. 50 COMMUNITY SERVICE ................................................ 50 CONCLUSION ....................................................................... 51 4 RYE